A tender for just over £4.5 million will be considered by the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee for enabling works to prepare for the major construction project.

The Green Transport Hub & Spokes initiative has been allocated £14.4m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Committee convener Steven Rome said: “Approval of this tender will start the ambitious redevelopment of the current car park into a pioneering green hub which is designed to help change people’s travel habits for the future.

“This project will make a significant contribution towards our goal of creating a greener city made up of strong communities where people feel empowered and safe, and where we are tackling climate change to reach our target of net zero emissions by 2045.

“Start of enabling works would mean that the car park would have to completely close from March 18. We will write to current users of the car park as well as neighbours about the implications of this development if the tender is approved and advise them of alternative car parking facilities.”

The hub will be created by redeveloping the current multi-storey car park into a multi-modal, sustainable transport hub.

Proposals include electric vehicle charging points along with electric vehicle car club spaces, bike hire and storage for residents, students, businesses, commuters, and visitors to the city centre.

A significant solar array and battery storage system will provide power.

The hub will also create enhanced walking and cycling links to the city centre, providing residents with access to sustainable transport options that improve connectivity and make the city centre greener, safer, and a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

It will see significant physical upgrades to the existing Bell Street to deliver an attractive and fit-for-purpose facility.

The committee will hear that the project has been procured through the SCAPE Framework and is being recommended to accept an offer from contractor McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd.

Enabling works will include mechanical and electrical services strip out, wall-tie replacement and remediation, concrete repairs, waterproofing, painting, site clearance, public utilities and site establishment.

The committee meets on Monday February 19.